F.B.I. Says Beware of Public Charging Stations

The F.B.I. has issued a warning about the potential risks of using public phone charging stations at airports and other places. According to their announcement, these charging devices can be used by criminals or hackers to gain access to your personal data.

“Criminals may attempt to use public/shared power charging stations to compromise your device through malicious hardware or software,” the F.B.I. said in a public statement. “The data from your devices is attractive to criminals and can be used for identity theft and other types of fraud.”

The F.B.I.’s advice is to avoid using these public charging stations if possible, or at least take preventive measures when doing so. If you must use a public station, be sure to unplug the device as soon as it is charged and keep your devices with you at all times. It’s also important to make sure that your device is locked and password protected before plugging it into any charging port.

The F.B.I. also recommends that people be aware of their surroundings when using a public charging station, and avoid leaving devices unattended while they are plugged in. Additionally, it’s important to back up your data regularly in case there is any kind of malicious attack on the device.

Law enforcement agencies have been warning about the potential risks posed by cybercriminals for some time. With the rise of public charging stations, it is increasingly important to be aware of the potential threat and take the necessary steps to protect your device and your data from malicious actors.

The F.B.I.’s warning is a reminder that keeping our personal devices secure should be at the top of everyone’s priority list. Taking the necessary steps to protect your devices and data is essential in staying secure online.